Roses and Thistles: Comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable

Rev. Robert Crandall

The Des Moines Register editorial board is bestowing a rose each day in December in recognition of the good that is found in Iowa.

- Randy Evans, opinion editor

A rose to the memory of the Rev. Robert Crandall, a United Methodist minister who served several Iowa communities and left an enduring legacy in his wake. Crandall died Dec. 9 at the age of 68. The third-generation pastor served congregations in Storm Lake, Eldridge, Sioux City, Sibley, Des Moines and West Des Moines. Before his retirement in 2010, Crandall was director of Bidwell Riverside Center for 17 years. The community center in Des Moines has served those in need since 1893. It was a fitting post for Crandall to close out his career. Crandall was passionate about working toward achieving human equality and justice. Among those inspired by that passion was his friend Bill Tubbs. Tubbs and his wife, Linda, publish the North Scott Press in Eldridge. Bill Tubbs wrote an obituary for his friend, and in a moving personal column said this of the man who had deepened Tubbs' faith: "Bob opened my eyes and made me see things in new ways. He taught us that the Gospel is a radical document and living it is not easy, but it is like hard-hitting journalism: Both involve comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable; asking tough questions and not accepting the status quo." That is testament to the power of an inspired and inspiring minister.

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Roses and Thistles: Comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable

The Des Moines Register editorial board is bestowing a rose each day in December in recognition of the good that is found in Iowa. ? Randy Evans, opinion editor A rose to the memory of the Rev.